Goniistius vittatus
| Goniistius vittatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Centrarchiformes |
| Family: | Cheilodactylidae |
| Genus: | Goniistius |
| Species: | G. vittatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Goniistius vittatus (Garrett, 1864) | |
Lead
Goniistius vittatus, also called the Hawaiian morwong, is a marine fish species in the family Cheilodactylidae.[1] It is a reef-associated fish found in the Pacific Ocean.[2]
Description
The Hawaiian morwong or Goniistius vittatus is a medium-sized fish that can reach approximately 41 cm in length.[2] It has a high, laterally compressed body characterized by two oblique black bands on the body and three on the head.[3][4] The head displays two pairs of bony protrusions, with one pair on the forehead in adults and a second pair at the front of the snout.[5] Its body structure and coloration may provide camouflage from predators within the reef.[6] This species has strong pectoral fins that allow it to rest upright on the seafloor.[3][4] It is characterized by its thick, reddish, fleshy lips and a small mouth adapted for feeding on small organisms in sandy habitats.[3]
Behavior
Goniistius vittatus is primarily nocturnal, feeding on small invertebrates at night and resting under reef ledges during the day.[3]This species is a benthic feeder, meaning it searches for food along the reef bottom rather than swimming in open water.[2] Goniistius vittatus feed by taking in mouthful of sands, filtering out small invertebrates, including crustaceans, mollusks, and worms.[2][3]
Distribution and habitat
The Hawaiian morwong is mainly found in the Pacific Ocean, including Hawai'i, New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island, and the Kermadec Islands.[2][3] The species inhabits reef environments and is typically found at depths between 1 and 66 meters.[3]
References
- ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Goniistius vittatus (Garrett, 1864)". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Garrett (2024-02-04). "Goniistius vittatus, Hawaiian morwong". Retrieved 2026-04-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hoover, John P. (November 2005). "Fish of the Month: Hawaiian Morwong". Hawaii's Fishes. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - 1 2 Stender, George Keoki (2026-04-02). "Hawaiian Morwing, Goniistius vitattus". MarinelifePhotography.com. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Randall, John E. (2010). Shore Fishes of Hawaii (Revised ed.). UniversityofHawaiiPress. p. 74. ISBN 1-929054-03-3.
- ↑ Burridge, Christopher P. (2026-02-04). "Cheilodactylus (Goniistius) francisi, a new species of morwong (Perciformes: Cirrhitoidea) from the Southwest Pacific" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum. 56 (2): 231–234.